SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2009 Draws 9,000

The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers announced Friday that approximately 9,000 people attended Cable-Tec Expo 2009, a decrease of 18% from last year's record-setting turnout of 11,000 in Philadelphia.

The SCTE had expected a drop in attendance for the annual flagship event, citing the move to the fall from its traditional June slot and the down economy.

Cable-Tec Expo 2009 featured 25 technical workshops, 375 exhibitors and the debut of the Expo Cable Technology Spotlight with an exhibit area focused on energy-efficiency initiatives.

"Undeterred by its shift to a new fall time frame, a sluggish economy, and a heavy snowstorm, Expo once again delivered the focused engineering and operational information that its attendees have come to expect," SCTE president and CEO Mark Dzuban said in a statement. "Our attendees braved assorted adverse conditions to touch the technology, keeping the show floor and technical workshops buzzing with enthusiasm throughout the convention center here in Denver."

The 9,000 showgoers this year is down 11% from the last time Denver hosted Expo, which was in June 2006.

Next year SCTE will hold Cable-Tec Expo Oct. 20-22 in New Orleans. The organization announced that Scott Hatfield, Cox Communications' chief technology officer, will serve as the Expo 2010 program committee chairman.